How does one choose “the best of”, “the most important”, or any such descriptor to capture the essence of a legend? Guess what – I haven’t a clue. For much of my adult life, I have usually gone with “the best of”, even with the knowledge that each person has their own reasons for deciding which is “best”, which basically boils down to a matter of opinion. What I have discovered is that “the best of” is certainly a great place to start, and for one of my favorite jazz pianists, The Best Of Thelonious Monk: The Blue Note Years is, indeed, a very great place to start. The tracks were recorded between 1947-1952. This compilation was released in 1991 (I’ve searched but have not found this recording on vinyl, instead, CD only, as far as I can tell). When it comes to Monk, this has all of “the usual suspects”: Ruby My Dear, Monk’s Mood, ‘Round Midnight, and my personal fave, Straight No Chaser. What’s not to love?! Bottle of red? Check. Comfy chair? Check. That play button? Hit it!!!
copyright 2025 jblackstarr for SMOOTHE
Jazz, jazz, and nothing but jazz.
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For more info on this recording:
https://www.discogs.com/master/120744-Thelonious-Monk-The-Best-Of-Thelonious-Monk
Smoothe 